September 5, 2006
Interpretive Partnership Program Events
National Park Service (Flagstaff Area National Monuments) & U. S. Forest Service (Peaks and Mormon Lake Districts) Interpretive Partnership Program is offering a series of guided hikes during the waning days of summer and early autumn. For a complete list of activities...read on.
Wed., Sept 6 “Slate Mountain Hike.” Slate Mountain parking lot, 29 miles northwest of town on Hwy 180. 9:00 am – 11:30 am. Join interpretive rangers Steve and Lois Hirst for this fascinating look at a rhyolitic lava dome volcano where pale gray lava resembles blackboard slate. Difficulty: moderate. Four mile roundtrip hike. Sponsored by the NPS/USFS Interpretive Partnership Program. 527-8240.
Fri., Sept. 8 “Learn the Tree Walk & Agassiz Skyride.” Agassiz Lodge parking lot, north end. 9:00 am to noon. Join USFS interpretive ranger Heidi Strickfaden in a fascinating and enjoyable walk along the edge of Hard Prairie ski run and then take the Snowbowl Skyride up to 11,500 feet elevation. Difficulty: easy. Reduced lift ticket prices. Sponsored by the NPS/USFS Interpretive Partnership Program. 527-8240.
Fri., Sept 8 “Mountain Lions of Northern Arizona.” Bonito Campground Amphitheater. 7:30 pm. Enjoy a beautiful fall evening at Bonito Campground and learn about mountain lions. Sponsored by the NPS/USFS Interpretive Partnership Program. 526-1157 ext 273.
Sat., Sept 9 “Wildfire Then and Now.” Pine Grove Campground Amphitheater, 7:30 pm. This informative and colorful program will be give by Heidi Strickfaden. Sponsored by the NPS/USFS Interpretive Partnership Program. 527-8240.
Sat., Sept 9 “Griffiths Springs Walk.” Griffiths Springs Trailhead, 9:00 – 11:30 am. Griffiths Springs trailhead is about 2.5 miles south of Ft. Tuthill on Hwy 89A. This wonderful 2.5-mile, easy loop walk will be led by USFS interpretive rangers Steve and Lois Hirst. Sponsored by the NPS/USFS Interpretive Partnership Program. 527-8240.
Wed., Sept 13 “Bismarck Lake Hike.” Bismarck Lake parking lot, 9:00 am to 11:30 am. Join Steve and Lois Hirst for a beautiful hike to Bismarck Lake. Drive 22 miles north on Hwy 180. Turn right on FR 151. At 1.6 miles, bear right & continue on FR 151. After .8 mile, turn left on FR 418B and park at the trailhead. Difficulty: potentially strenuous. Two miles round trip. 1,600 feet elevation change if entire trail is hiked.
Sponsored by the NPS/USFS Interpretive Partnership Program. 527-8240.
Thurs. Sept. 14 “Old Caves Pueblo Interpretive Hike.” Old Caves Pueblo trailhead, Silver Saddle Road. 9:00 am – noon. This wonderful hike will be led by Heidi Strickfaden, USFS interpretive ranger. Difficulty: moderate. 600 elevation climb. Sponsored by the NPS/USFS Interpretive Partnership Program. 527-8240.
Fri., Sept 15 “Wildfire Then and Now.’ Bonito Campground Amphitheater, 7:30 pm. This informative and colorful program will be given by Heidi Strickfaden, USFS interpretive ranger. Sponsored by the NPS/USFS Interpretive Partnership Program. 527-8240.
Sat., Sept 16 “Dairy Springs Walk.” Dairy Springs Loop Trail 3:00 to 4:00 pm. Join an interpretive ranger for a one-hour easy walk along the Dairy Springs Loop trail. Meet at the Dairy Springs amphitheater at 3:00 pm. Sponsored by the NPS/USFS Interpretive Partnership Program. 526-1157 ext 273.
Sat. Sept 16 “The Grand Circle.” Bonito Campground Amphitheater. 7:00 – 8:00 pm. This extraordinary slide show and discussion will be led by Floy Healer, 27-year National Park Service volunteer, and will feature the National Parks and Monuments of northern Arizona and southern Utah. Sponsored by the NPS/USFS Interpretive Partnership Program. 526-1157 ext 273.
Fri., Sept 22 “Leroux Springs Walk.” Leroux Springs turnoff & trailhead, about one mile up Snowbowl Road. 9:00 – 11:30 am. Join an interpretive ranger for an easy two-mile walk to Big and Little Leroux Springs. Learn about the extraordinary role of Leroux Springs in Flagstaff history. Sponsored by the NPS/USFS Interpretive Partnership Program. 526-1157 ext 273.
Wed., Sept 27 “Sandy’s Canyon Hike.” Sandy’s Canyon Trailhead, 9:00 am to noon. Join interpretive rangers Steve & Lois Hirst for this beautiful hike into Sandy’s Canyon. Meet at the Canyon Vista Campground parking lot on Lake Mary Road. Difficulty: moderately strenuous. 7.2 mile hike round trip. Sponsored by the NPS/USFS Interpretive Partnership Program. 527-8240.
Fri., Sept 29. “Inner Basin Hike.” Inner Basin trailhead, 9:00 am – 11:30 am. Join Heidi Strickfaden in an enjoyable hike along the Inner Basin trail. Learn about the flora and fauna of Inner Basin and Basque tree carvings. Difficulty: strenuous. Sponsored by the NPS/USFS Interpretive Partnership Program. 527-8240.
Sat., Sept 30. “Kachina Trail Hike.” Kachina Trailhead, Snowbowl parking lot. 9:00 am – noon. Join USFS interpretive rangers Steve and Lois Hirst for this beautiful fall color walk along one of Flagstaff’s most beautiful trails. Difficulty: moderate. Meet at the Kachina Trailhead at 9:00 am. Sponsored by the NPS/USFS Interpretive Partnership Program. 527-8240.
Partnership rangers:
a. Provide interpretive programs (ranger talks) at the top of the Snowbowl Skyride every Friday through Sunday from Memorial Day Weekend to mid-October.
b. Give campfire talks at Bonito, Dairy Springs, and Pine Grove Campgrounds every weekend during the summer.
c. Provide interpretation and visitor assistance at Sunset Crater Volcano, Wupatki, and Walnut Canyon National Monuments.
d. Conduct interpretive hikes and special programs in the Flagstaff area.
Bonito Campground is located adjacent to the entrance of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, about 10 miles northeast of Flagstaff off Hwy 89.
Pine Grove Campground is located about one mile past Upper Lake Mary and about a half-mile off Lake Mary Road.
Dairy Springs Campground is located on the west side of Mormon Lake. Take Lake Mary Road about four miles past Upper Lake Mary. Turn off on Mormon Lake Lodge loop road. Follow road to Dairy Springs sign.
The mission of Flagstaff’s NPS/USFS Interpretive Partnership Program is to help interpret, understand, and preserve our local natural and cultural resources.
